Veistroffer defies odds with breakaway win on Tour of Oman stage 2

Baptiste Veistroffer (Lotto-Intermarché) is the new leader of the Tour of Oman after he claimed victory on stage 2 to Yitti Hills.

The Frenchman was part of the day’s early break of five riders and he was the last man standing come the final haul to the line after attacking inside the final 10km.

Veistroffer had a lead of 50 seconds on the peloton with 6km to go, but he still faced the obstacle of the 7% gradients on the climb the finish at Yitti Hills.

Despite tiring inside the final 2km, where he faced the added challenge of a headwind Veistroffer hung on to claim a wonderful breakaway victory. Henok Mulubrhan (XDS-Astana) won the sprint for second place at 17 seconds, with Thibaud Gruel (Groupama-FDJ United) taking third place to complete the podium.

With his breakaway win, Veistroffer is the new race leader, but it will be difficult for the 25-year-old retaining the jersey after stage 3 on Monday, which finishes on the steep slopes of the Eastern Mountain.

Sunday’s stage was animated by a breakaway of five riders, which was able to establish a decent advantage over the chasing pack. Veistroffer was joined in the move by Gil Gelders (Soudal-QuickStep), Patryk Goszczurny (Visma | Lease a Bike), Tim Marsman (Alpecin-PremierTech), and Said Alrahbi (Oman). 

Marsman, Goszczurny and Veistroffer were the last survivors of the break in the finale, with Jayco AlUla and UAE Team Emirates-XRG leading the chase behind. The odds looked stacked in favour of the peloton when took off in the finale, but he was full value for his victory.